Flagman&#39;s case



April 20 19260 (a, a. SHARP FLAGMAN S CASE Filed June 2, 19"25 Patented Apr. 20, 19216.

. ississi PATENT @FHQE.

GEORGE B. SHARP, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

FLAGMAN S CASE.

Application filed June 2, 1925.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon B. SHARP,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt Lake and State of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Flagmans Case, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to flagmans equipment, and has for its object to provide an economical and compact case in which the flagmen on trains may conveniently carry all of the equipment, such as torpedoes, fusees, lighters and a flag or signal, with such first aid supplies as are provided by the railway company for fiagmen.

These objects I accomplish with the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters and numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, and as described in the specification forming a part of this application and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which I have shown a substantial embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the signal carrying side of the case. Figure 2 is an elevation of the opposite side with the hinged cover partly raised. Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the case showing the torpedoes, fusees, first aid supplies and lighters in place in the case, and showing one withdrawing plate or member partially withdrawn and by which some of the torpedoes have been removed from the case. Figure l is an edge elevvation of the case showing the lighter receptacle, with an edge view of the signal. Figure 5 is a side elevation of signal with its handle withdrawn for use by the flagman.

In the operation of trains, both passenger and freight, on the railways of this country, certain of the trainmen are required to act as flagmen, and they are supplied by the railway company with torpedoes by means of which they convey information to the operators of other trains and locomotives operated over the same track. The railway company also supplies them with fuses or fusees, as they are called, which, when burned near a track, also convey information to other operators or men em* ployed by the' company. Flags or other similar signals are also supplied to said Serial No. 34,342.

flagmen, with and by which they convey information. Then again, they are supplied with lighters, by means of which gas lights and other fires may be lighted, and usually the company furnishes what is known as first aid supplies, consisting of gauze, ad-

hesive plasters, salves, absorbent cotton, etc.

These supplies are to be kept by the flagmen ready for use, and, as is now the prac tice, the flagmen carry said supplies in their pockets and hands and frequently need some which they have forgotten to take with them when leaving the train in the discharge of their duties.

The present invention is intended to supply a case within which the flagman may compactly store and arrange said supplies; said case consists of a rectangularly-shaped container A having closed sides, bottom and ends, with a hinged top or cover B. A flexible strip C is fastened on the ends of said case, by the ends of the strip being passed through staples 1 which are secured on the ends and near the upper edge or cover of said case, and having its end thickened or folded toengage said staples. The said strip is the means for suspending and carrying said case A when the medial portion of the strip is carried on the shoulder of the fiagman. On one end of said case is provided a lighter case D, within which are stored and carried the gas and fire lighters E, a cotton cord covered with parafiine or other similar material. Two longitudinally disposed partition strips 2 and 3 are fastened in said case, thereby dividing the interior of said case into three compartments. The fuses F are carried in the middle compartment, while the torpedoes G are carried in one and the first aid supplies H in the other of said compartments. A slidable plate K is fitted within each of the outer compartments, having a handle 4 attached thereto, by which said plate is moved in the compartments, and by means of which the torpedoes and first aid supplies are taken out of the respective compartments. Figure 3 shows the plate K therein and on which the torpedoes are carried, partly raised. The signal or flag member L is de tachably carried on one side of said case A by a radially extended lug 5, engaging in a catch or staple member 6 fastened on the side of the said case A, and said signal member L has a slidable handle 7. adjustable thereon which engages with a spring catch 8 near the upper edge of said case A. \Vhen the signal is to be used the said handle is drawn out, shown in Figure 5, and the signal is used by the flagman in place of and for the same purposes as the common flag signal of the present equipment. The shape and construction of my case A; with its supporting strip C, allows the flagman free use of his hands in getting on or oil of the train. The torpedoes arenot lost so frequently as they are when carried in the pocket or hand of the fiagman, and the first aid supplies are kept in a. more sanitary condition and are more accessible than when kept as they have heretofore been.

Having thus described my invention I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim 1. A signal mans case comprising a container divided into a plurality of compartments; means to suspend said case from the shoulder of a flagman; a signal detachably fastened on the side of said case; an adjustable handle for said signal; a plate conforming in size and shape with said compartments; a handle on said plate to move said plate in its respective compartment, whereby the contents of said compartment may be made accessible; and a lighter case on one end of said case.

2. A signal mans case, comprising a closed receptacle; partition strips therein to divide said receptacle into a phirality of compartments; a plate operable in one or more of said compartments, whereby the contents thereof may be readily accessible; a smaller case on one end of said main case for carrying lighters; a signal detachably carried on said main case for use as a flag; and means to suspend said main case from the shoulder of a flagman.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

GEORGE B. SHARP. 

